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#1564. Lord of the Flies: Law and Order

Literature, level: Middle
Posted Thu Feb 10 16:53:04 PST 2000 by Maeve T. O'Driscoll (odriscolls@earthlink.net).
Ardsley High School, Ardsley, NY
Materials Required: none
Activity Time: 2 periods
Concepts Taught: Writing a legal "script"

Name ______________________________ Date __________
English 9R Mrs. O'Driscoll

William Golding's Lord of the Flies: Law and Order

1) Who killed Piggy? ____________________
2) Who killed Simon? ____________________
Which question is more difficult? If you answered #2, you're probably right.

If you were the parent/guardian of Piggy and/or Simon, how would you feel upon learning about your charge's death? Odds are, you'd want some answers to just what took place on the island, wouldn't you? Where will it all end? In court!

Use direct references from chapter 10 of Lord of the Flies to support your arguments and responses.

Legal Team #1, the Defense: Ralph has been accused of murdering Simon. As part of the legal "dream team" responsible for exonerating (freeing) Ralph from punishment, you must draft a defense. Using chapter 10 of Lord of the Flies as your source, write an opening statement to your argument, showing that Ralph was not responsible for Simon's untimely and unfortunate death. What legal arguments or strategies can you use to defend Ralph's actions?

Quick Brainstorm (your first thoughts): _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Legal Team #2, the Prosecution: A defendant is innocent until proven guilty. It's your duty to prove Ralph's guilt. Using chapter 10 of Lord of the Flies as your source, draft an opening statement for your argument, showing that Ralph is clearly responsible for Simon's brutal and vicious murder. What "facts" or "eyewitness accounts" can you gather to prove Ralph's depraved behavior? [See Witness* on the following page for ways to incorporate the deceased Piggy's comments]

Quick Brainstorm (your first thoughts): _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Witness* for the Defense: Even though you, yourself, came to an untimely end, your words, Piggy live on. Unbeknownst to you and Ralph, Sam and Eric overheard your conversation at the beginning of chapter 10 of Lord of the Flies. How could Sam and Eric's eyewitness accounts of Piggy and Ralph's conversation (albeit hearsay) help prove Ralph's innocence?

Quick Brainstorm (your first thoughts): _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Witness* for the Prosecution: Even though you, yourself, came to an untimely end, your words, Piggy, live on. Unbeknownst to you and Ralph, Sam and Eric overheard your conversation at the beginning of chapter 10 of Lord of the Flies. How could Sam and Eric's eyewitness accounts of Piggy and Ralph's conversation (albeit hearsay) help prove Ralph's guilt?

Quick Brainstorm (your first thoughts): _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Step 1) With your partners, prepare a script on looseleaf.
Be as creative as you'd like with "court room lingo."
Choose a spokesperson. This speaker must be convincing.
A boy's life is at stake!

Step 2) Rehearse your spokesperson/lawyer.
What kind of gestures will his or she use? Help coach...and remember, there is no "I" in team!

Step 3) Be ready to present your arguments on ________________________.

Step 4) Remember the objective: to use your in-depth knowledge of LOTF to bring about justice!

Have fun!